Second suspect identified in shooting of UC Merced students

A second suspect in the Aug. 24 shooting of two UC Merced students has been identified as Paul Diandre Pittman, 20, according to the Merced Police Department.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Pittman, who is described as black, 6 feet 2 inches tall and about 175 pounds, according to a police news release.

During the investigation, a witness reported being at the intersection of 16th and R streets minutes before the shooting.

While the witness stopped at the intersection waiting for the light, Pittman and a juvenile approached the witness, according to the news release. The witness said both individuals walked toward the vehicle and one of them reached into his waistband as if he had a gun. The witness immediately left the area, fearing robbery, according to the release.

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Earlier this week, Merced police arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection with the shooting.

The arrest of the Valley High student happened Wednesday after the department's Gang Violence Suppression Unit served a search warrant in the 600 block of Cartmell Drive in South Merced, near Childs Avenue and M Street.

Police first spoke with the suspect on the day of the shooting, in the parking lot of Victoria's restaurant at the intersection where the shooting took place, according to Sgt. Scott Skinner.

The day of the shooting, the victims had just left a party about 4 a.m. in North Merced and were on their way to a fast food restaurant. They slowed at a red light and saw two men standing in the road, the victims told police. The men pulled out guns and started shooting at them without saying anything, according to Lt. Matt Williams.

Robert Justin Manaco, 23, and Ian Buczko, 19, suffered gunshot wounds that were not life-threatening, police said. A third student, 21-year-old Arian Faurtosh, wasn't injured and called police.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Detective Paul Johnson at (209) 385-7742, or the Merced Police Department tip line at (209) 385-4725.

Reporter Yesenia Amaro can be reached at (209) 385-2482 or yamaro@mercedsun-star.com.